Posted , 16 users are following.
I have had PMR for 4 years and by using the DSNS method of tapering, I have been able to decrease to 1 mg of prednisone a day. I have now had a major flare and I am almost back to the ESR number I had when diagnosed. How many mgs of Prednisone should I start taking now in order to start reducing all over again.
1 like, 23 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
Michdonn susan91476
Posted
Hi Susan, after having too many flare, normally over doing it, I found out what works for me; what ever dose I am I double it for 3 or 4 days, still not PMR pain free, triple original dosage for 3 or 4 days, still not PMR pain free quadruple original dosage. Then when I am PMR pain free reduce using the same method. Then when at the original dosage stabilize for a week or so before starting my tapering. I believe the key is to get ahead of the inflammation. Good luck 🙂
susan91476 Michdonn
Posted
Thank you so much for sharing - I really appreciate it. I have a doctor's appointment this week, and I wanted to have some suggestions that might work when I get there - sometimes doctors get in a rush. What is working for you seems very reasonable.
Michdonn susan91476
Posted
Susan, you are welcome I hope it works for you. My worst flare was when my Rheumy was rushing me off Prednisone now I take slow and easy, it is not a race. I ended up taking more Prednisone because I was rushing. 🙂
susan91476 Michdonn
Posted
I think that is a typical Rheumy thing - Thanks again.
judith87642 susan91476
Posted
i just found out the DNDs method..I'm going to reduce real slow...I might follow the recommendation of decreasing 1mg a month, once I GET BACK TO 10mg ina couple of weeks..
thanks everyone...
Michdonn judith87642
Posted
Judith, personally I think reducing at any level in one month is too quick, plus anything over 10% is dangerous. A real bad flare can set you back a long way. Please be careful, if you think DSNS you can modify it, but is the way to go. 🙂 Good Luck!
Anhaga judith87642
Posted
Remember, the lower your dose the slower you have to taper, and the smaller the steps should be. After 10 mg it is a good idea to taper by .5 mg at a time. I personally was able to continue to taper a full mg per month by tapering .5 using dead slow method and in the middle, the point where the new dose takes over from the old in frequency, I would drop another mg.
Example: I'm taking 10 mg. I taper using DSNS with 9.5 as my new dose. in the middle of the taper there is a time when you take the old dose for two days. This happens twice, at least as I have always read the taper. The second time, I would drop on the second day of old dose to 9.5 and then my new new dose became 9. I continued the taper with 9.5 and 9 until I was fully on 9. I would then stay at the new dose for a week before starting the next taper. At first I was able to do this with the shorter 4 day start, but about 7 I began to use the full six weeks to taper each mg. And after a while I would only taper by .5 mg per six weeks, no dropping in the middle. I was down to 3 mg by the end of a year on pred (15 mg start). I was able to get to about 2 successfully, but have stuck there for a while (my lowest possible effective dose I guess) and am only now after a couple of years successfully tapering again, cautiously approaching 1 from 1.5.
It isn't slow if it works. I may have been on pred a long time, over four years now, but for nearly all of the past three years my dose has been below 3, usually close to 2, so not a huge cumulative dose.